ing your puny efforts to the contrary, there will be no lack of Canadian gentlemen, not only willing, but eager, to avail themselves of the opportunity now presented to them of achieving an honorable distinction which cannot fail to secure them not only the applause of their countrymen, but the appreciation of their sovereign.

is twenty miles further down the Kanawha, where we arrived about nine A. M. Here we were joined by two companies of the Fourth Virginia, who had been sent up from Point Pleasant. While the men were getting breakfast, Col. Guthrie took a small detachment of men across to the Red House, and captured the goods in a store belonging to one of the rebel cavalry who had fired upon the boat.

At eleven o'clock information was received that the enemy, in force about eight hundred strong, with one company of cavalry, were encamped at Hurricane Bridge, some fourteen miles from Winfield. Our column, without further delay, moved forward. When about two miles from the town the advance, under command of Adjutant Clark, encountered the

That there are some "Provincialists," as you are pleased to call them, who will join with you in your absurd cry about the Queen's proclamation, I have no doubt; but no man of common sense, and common honesty, can construe that proclamation otherwise than I have done; and in conclusion I have only to add, that I have done nothing, and shall do nothing, inconsistent with my duty, or such as to subject me to the forfeiture of my rights either as a British sub-mounted scouts of the enemy, who fled in hot ject or a member of the Canadian Parliament; and when Parliament assembles I shall be at my post, prepared to perform my duty both to my constituents and to the country at large, independently, and to the best of my ability.

OCCUPATION OF WINFIELD, VA. THE correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette gives the following account of the occupation:

CAMP RED HOUSE, WESTERN VA.,
October 19, 1861.

Your readers have already been apprised of the firing of the rebel cavalry upon the boat Izetta, as she was passing up the Kanawha loaded with United States horses and army stores, on the forenoon of October 11th. The firing occurred from the town of Winfield, in Putnam County, Va. As soon as intelligence of the firing was received by Colonel Piatt, at Camp Piatt, ten miles above Charleston, he ordered out five hundred men, under command of Lieut.-Col. Toland and Major Franklin, with directions to proceed immediately to Winfield, and there land the force and pursue the rebels. In one hour after the order was issued five hundred Zouaves, with all their arms and equipments, were on board the Silver Lake, making rapid headway down the Kanawha, and all eager to give the pirate rebels a taste of Government powder. We arrived at Charleston about midnight of the eleventh, and were delayed there by order of Col. Guthrie, commanding that post, until seven o'clock of the next morning. Colonel Guthrie accompanied us from Charleston, and we proceeded to Winfield, which

haste toward their camp. Here let me remark,
that Col. Guthrie had sent out from Charleston
two companies of the Fourth Virginia regi-
ment, who were to approach from another
direction. Col. Toland now divided his force,
sending a detachment under Major Franklin
to attack them on the left, while he moved
forward on the direct road. The boys moved
up briskly, animated with the prospect of a
fight. But the rebels in this part of Virginia
have learned to run with such celerity, that
there is no way to catch them except by com-
ing upon them on all sides at once. The ad-
vance, moving on rapidly some distance ahead
of the column, arrrived at the bridge just in
time to send a few shots whizzing after the
last of the rebels, as they scattered away over
the hills to the rear. They had fled like fright-
ened does, and that without any knowledge of
the extent of our force, as they had seen only
our advance guard consisting of twenty-five
men. Our forces soon arrived, to find only
smoking camp fires and terrified women.
boys were highly disgusted with the rebel
method of warfare, and vowed they wished
they could have come in on both sides at once,
so as to have acquired an appetite for supper,
by capturing the whole force of the enemy.

The

Having failed to find any rebels, the Zouaves determined to do the next best thing, which is always, in their opinion, to get chickens for supper. The poor feathered tribe were doomed to meet a fearful end. More than a hecatomb of them were sacrificed to appease the wrath of stomachs made hungry by a fatiguing march. In less than an hour after our arrival, soldiers might have been seen in every part of our camp brandishing chicken legs and munching crackers.

During the night the rebels came back in small numbers, and fired upon our pickets. Our men returned the fire, wounding one rebel and killing another, whom we buried on Sunday morning.

Scouting parties were sent out to scour the country; also, foraging parties, to take possession of such rebel property as would be useful to the Government. Orders were issued

and strictly enforced against the soldiers taking | in perfect order, though I imagine that our any thing without orders from the commanding | Cincinnati friends would hardly have recognized officer. Occasionally, parties of rebels number- us as the same body of men which passed ing five to fifteen, lurking in the woods, would | through_that city a few weeks ago, on our defire on our pickets. On Monday, Col. Piatt parture for the field. having received orders from Gen. Rosecrans to send forward his whole force, we were joined by him with the remaining companies of the regiment.

tection.

We are now stationed at Winfield, or Putnam_ C. H., Va., on the left bank of the Kanawha, where the men are kept drilling daily, while detachments are constantly scouring the country in search of the rebels. Our camp is styled "Camp Red House," and letters directed to this point will reach us here.

Col. Piatt is now organizing a company of Virginians, from the Union men of this county, who promise to furnish a defence to their own homes hereafter. We promise you that the Thirty-fourth will not be behindhand in fighting or any other duty they are called on to perform. ΚΑΡΡΑ.

The whole of the confiscated goods, amounting in value to several thousand dollars, were turned over to Quartermaster Hart, for the benefit of Uncle Sam's pocket. I make so exWe received reliable information from some plicit a statement to show that we are in earUnion inhabitants of the place, stating that the nest. Col. Piatt and his officers fully appreciate whole rebel force was only about two hundred the principle that those who are seeking to deand fifty, of which one hundred were cavalry.stroy our Government should not enjoy its proHad we been supplied with fifty cavalry, we could have captured every one of the enemy. Most of the people in the region of Hurricane | Bridge are either unqualifiedly in favor of secession, or of that milk-and-water Union style, who never fight for the Union, and are never identified with that cause except in the face of a Union army. The cavalry company, which has been such a terror to the people of this county, numbers about eighty to one hundred men, under command of Captain Herndon, a rebel officer in the three months' service. They subsist by plundering Union men, and are paid for their service by the Confederate Government. When Colonel Piatt came with his forces, he found our men drawn up in line, and just ready to march back to the Kanawha, they having been unable to find the enemy in any force, and having already captured a large amount of property belonging to prominent secessionists. However, he concluded to see for himself what this country produces. He ordered a delay, and sent out more parties in search of rebels and rebel goods. The success which attended these parties shows either the peculiar aptness of the Zouaves in capturing and confiscating "secesh" property, or the remarkable productiveness of the country in such goods. We started back on Tuesday, October 15, having taken seventy-five head of cattle, about fifty horses and wagons, fifteen yoke of working oxen, one hundred and fifty head of sheep, thirty barrels of flour, two thousand pounds of hams and bacon, fifty boxes of fine Virginia tobacco, and dry goods and notions from two

stores.

During our stay, our scouts and pickets killed eight and wounded several of the rebels, capturing some cavalry horses and carbines-the latter weapons showing the kind of arms with which they were provided. Five prominent secessionists were taken prisoners, and marched with us back to camp.

The appearance of our regiment, on their march in return, was novel and amusing in the extreme-men, cattle, and sheep; Zouaves mounted on horses and mules; wagons loaded with every variety of "secesh" valuables; the prisoners marching under guard-the whole forming a cavalcade not unlike the old Roman triumphal entrées which attended Pompey and the Caesars in their days of regal pomp and pride. The regiment, however, came into camp

Doc. 86.

CAPTURE OF LINN CREEK, MO. OFFICIAL REPORT OF MAJOR WRIGHT. HEAD-QUARTERS FREMONT BAT. CAVALRY, CAMP MCCLURG, Oct. 15, 1861. GENERAL: At seven o'clock, on the morning of 14th, my command left Camp Grogus, in advance of the column, in the following order: A detachment of thirty men, well mounted, from Company A, five hundred yards on the extreme right; five mounted sentinels at the respective distances of one hundred yards from each other, reaching back to the head of the column; twenty scouts, each on the right and left flanks, to march in line with the head of the column with instructions to allow no one to pass forward or ahead of the column. Then we moved forward, feeling our way, without any incident worthy of note until half-past eleven o'clock, on our arrival at Alex. Berry's, five miles southeast of this place. I then learned that there was no doubt but that Linn Creek was occupied by rebel forces, and rumor said that two thousand had arrived the day before. I at once resolved to strike them with all the available force I

had, leaving out the skirmishers and a sufficient force to cover the front of the Thirteenth Illinois regiment, then in my rear. I immediately sent forward two scouts in citizens' dress, to go into the town, take observations, and report to me one mile out before I arrived. I then called out Company D, Capt. Crockett, myself taking the right, and ordered a descent upon the town in double-quick. Arriving at the point to meet the scouts, I called a halt. The

was preceded by two or three companies of cavalry-that of Capt. Crockett, formerly Major Wright's company, being in the advance. When the cavalry entered the town, they found one company of rebels under Capt. Roberts, a merchant of Linn Creek, in possession of the place. They were, to all appearance, perfectly ignorant of any danger from any quarter. A portion of them were in a blacksmith-shop moulding bullets, and the rest were in different parts of the town, so that the surprise was complete. The whole company, officers and

tody. The company numbered about forty men, and were well armed.

On Thursday night Wyman's pickets were fired upon by a squad of eight secessionists. The fire was returned with effect-five of the eight rebels being killed, without loss to our pickets.

On the day of Wyman's entering Linn Creek, two of the rebels, who were straggling around the neighorhood, were killed after being pursued into the bush. They were both found together.

scouts not having returned, led me to suppose that they were detained. I soon learned, however, just from town, that there was a company of rebels, commanded by the notorious Bill Roberts, then in town; and also that the notorious sheriff, Mr. Cummins, was at home in town. I at once made the preliminary arrangements, and ordered a double-quick march, with instructions to arrest the whole camp and all the men in town. We arrived at one o'clock P. M., and at once surrounded the whole place, and demanded an unconditional surrender. The notorious captain and a few of his follow-privates, was “bagged,” and held in safe cusers, as well as his wife, broke from some of the buildings, fired upon our troops, and attempted to escape. I promptly ordered them fired on, which was as promptly executed. Some fifty random shots were fired, but owing to the fences, buildings, and other means of cover, none were killed, and but one slightly wounded on the rebel side-none hurt on our side. The scene was a wild one: the activity of the cavalry in guarding the avenues of the place, arresting the rebels running to and fro; the screams of the secesh wives, daughters, and children; the firing from both sides echoing from the bluffs on either side, made the whole thing look frantic. However, at the end of thirty minutes, the town was restored to its usual quiet and secesh under guard. Every member of Company D behaved well. Capt. Crockett and Lieut. Kirby executed every order with promptness and bravery; the men without exception acquitted themselves to my entire satisfaction. The result of our descent was as follows: The capture of property and prisoners-Wm. J. Roberts, Bandit Captain. D. L. Samuel, Capt. A. C., Sixth Division M. S. G.; W. Carroll, Second Lieutenant. J. M. Cyrus, Forage Master. Privates-N. Ellison, T. Jackson, W. M. Itson, J. J. Itson, R. D. Itson, B. Itson, W. P. Gordon, M. J. Hall, H. C. Rich-debted to Capt. Switzler. ardson, E. B. Jackson, C. Jackson, R. A. Roberts, D. Moulden, A. T. Loveall, W. M. Thurman, Geo. Carroll, J. W. Coffee, R. Greenville, Stephen English, Bazell Rose, R. Wines, W. A. Stephens, P. Rexode, N. Cooper, A. T. Bayley, B. F. Ayers, J. Allison, J. C. Snider, A. G. Miller, J. Cummins, notorious sheriff, making a total of seventy-seven now in custody; also five horses, two mules, twenty-six guns, two pistols, one keg powder, half a bushel bullets, as well as peaceful possession of the town. All of which is respectfully submitted.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
your ob't serv't,
CLARK WRIGHT,
Major Commanding Fremont Battalion Cavalry.
To Brig.-Gen. WYMAN Commanding.

ST. LOUIS "REPUBLICAN" ACCOUNT. ROLLA, Mo., Oct. 19, 1861. A messenger from Linn Creek arrived yesterday evening, bringing interesting news from that point, having left there on Thursday night. He reports that Gen. Wyman, with his command, had arrived safely in that place. He

Col. McClurg, with his regiment of cavalry, was expected at Linn Creek on Thursday night. Some apprehensions of an attack from the secessionists were entertained by Gen. Wyman, but no fears were entertained that he would be defeated.

At about one o'clock to-day Captains Switzler and Montgomery arrived in town, having in charge the prisoners taken at Linn Creek, and also those taken in the engagement on Sunday morning, numbering in all seventy-six-three having been sent back with Capt. Stephens' company as an escort, in accordance with an order from Gen. Wyman, when only a short distance out. A list of the names of these prisoners will be found below, for which I am in

By the officers of the two companies referred to, and others, I am enabled to gain some additional particulars of the fight on Sunday, which occurred at Monday's Hollow.

The rebel force consisted of about eight hundred men, under whose direct command is not known, but most of them belonging to Col. Johnson's regiment, which, since the accident to that noted officer, has been under command of Lieut.-Col. Summers

The fight took place near what is known as the Union road, leading from here to Lebanon. Near the road is a steep hill rising abruptly from the road, and sloping to the south. On this declivity the rebels were formed in line of battle, when Capt. Switzler advanced and formed in front of their left flank, and between them and the road. At the same time, and strangely enough, without Capt. Switzler's knowledge, Capt. Montgomery came up on the enemy's right, and joined his company with that of Capt. Switzler. Between them and the enemy was a thick copse of brush, which, except at one or two intervening spaces, pro

tected them from the fire of the rebels. It was through one of these open spaces that Mr. Tucker, the only man killed on our side, was shot.

As our cavalry advanced, the rebels fired several rounds, but doing no injury except the killing of Tucker and one or two horses. When within sixty yards, Captain Switzler gave the command to fire-first with their carbines, next with their pistols, and then, with drawn sabres-a charge accompanied with a deafening yell. In an instant the gallant little band was in the midst of the enemy, dealing death and destruction on all sides. Their line was broken, the utmost confusion ensued, and soon the whole rebel force was in full retreat. Among the first to run was the principal commander -probably Lieutenant-Colonel Summers-who started his horse at full gallop to escape at the first fire of our men. The loss of the rebels, as accurately ascertained since the battle, was sixty-three killed, about forty wounded-many of them mortally-near forty prisoners, thirty head of horses, and a large number of guns, pistols, &c. Nearly all the guns were destroyed by Captain Switzler, as he had no means of bringing them away with him. Our loss was one man and two horses killed, and one or two horses slightly wounded. It is proper to state that Major Wright, with one company, at the time of the engagement, was advancing toward the centre of the enemy's front, and Major Bowen, with two companies, was forming on the extreme left, but these did not come up in time to engage in the fight-Switzler and Montgomery, with not more than ninety men, all told, gaining the victory. The engagement lasted about half an hour.

killed two men and taken one prisoner. A spy from Price's army arrived here early this morning. He left the rebel camp on Thursday night, and reports that Price was encamped a few miles south of Osceola, where he intended to make a stand. A prominent citizen of Laclede County, at the head of twenty-seven other citizens of Laclede, Webster, and Wright Counties, arrived at the fort yesterday about noon. These men live in the southwestern part of Laclede, the northeast of Webster, and northern part of Wright Counties. They left home on Monday evening, and came on directly toward this place. Their departure from their homes was rather unexpected, even to themselves-for reasons a little peculiar, though amply sufficient. Having heard, upon what they regarded as good authority, that Lebanon was in the hands of Federal troops, the Union citizens, to the number of about sixty, immediately assembled and organized a company, in order to assert their rights and reclaim some of the property that had been taken from them. The company immediately commenced operations by taking several straggling secesh prisoners, and soon recovered a goodly number of their horses from the hands of those who had taken them. They were, in fact, preparing to do things up in their own way, and in a fair way to become once more the possessors of their own soil.

ists, they dispersed, about half the company returning to their homes, and the other half starting for Rolla, which they reached without interruption, bringing with them several fine secesh horses. On the way they learned from secesh authority that the rebels lost about sixty men killed, and fifty horses, in the engagement at Wet Glaze on Sunday morning last. One of these gentlemen also informs me that he saw no rebel troops on the way, and was told that they had all gone to Linn Creek, where they intended to give Gen. Wyman a fight. This may be true, or it may not, but will give some ground for the apprehensions of an attack that are entertained at Linn Creek,

But the seceshers were not to be driven out so easily, and, seeing their danger, sent in all directions for aid to put down these impudent Unionists, who dared attempt their own defence. Learning about this time that Lebanon had not been taken by the Federal troops, and knowing that they were likely to be "taken A short time after the battle, Lieutenant-in" by the superior numbers of the secessionColonel Summers was taken prisoner, after being pursued some distance by a detachment of Captain Stephens' company. During the hottest of the conflict, Lieutenant Montgomery, son of the captain of that name, found himself without a sabre, having lost it, when he discharged both of his revolvers, and having nothing with which to reload, and no other weapon of defence, he "pitched in" with his fist. One of the prisoners brought in to-day shows unmistakable marks of violence from this source. At the close of the fight, Captain Switzler became separated from his company, and soon afterward found himself set upon by three of the rebels, who, with their guns, were intent on taking his life by means of clubbing him, their guns being unloaded. As each approached, the captain struck him a blow with the side of his sabre, ordering him to surrender. He succeeded in defending himself in this way until young Montgomery came to his assistance, when all three of the rebels were taken prisoners.

A negro, who is serving Captain Switzler as a cook, was in the heat of the battle, and behaved with great bravery. He is said to have

Doc. 87.

THE NATIONAL DEFENCES. SECRETARY SEWARD'S CIRCULAR. THE following important circular was sent to the Governors of all the States on the seaboard and the lakes in the United States:

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, October 14, 1861.)

To his Excellency the Governor of the State of
New York:

the importance of perfecting the defences of the State over which you preside, and to ask you to submit the subject to the consideration of the Legislature when it shall have assembled. Such proceedings by the State would require only a temporary use of its means. The expenditures ought to be made the subject of con

thus made, with the concurrence of the Government, for general defence, there is every reason to believe that Congress would sanction what the State should do, and would provide for its reimbursement. Should these suggestions be accepted, the President will direct proper agents of the Federal Government to confer with you, and to superintend, direct, and conduct the prosecution of the system of defence of your State.

SIR: The present insurrection had not even revealed itself in arms, when disloyal citizens hastened to foreign countries to invoke their intervention for the overthrow of the Govern-ference with the Federal Government. Being ment and the destruction of the Federal Union. These agents are known to have made their appeals to some of the more important States without success. It is not likely, however, that they will remain content with such refusals. Indeed, it is understood that they are industriously endeavoring to accomplish their disloyal purposes by degrees and by indirection. Taking advantage of the embarrassments of agriculture, manufactures, and commerce in foreign countries, resulting from the insurrection they have inaugurated at home, they seek to involve our common country in controversies with States with which every public interest and every interest of mankind require that it shall remain in relations of peace, amity, BURNING OF THE BIG RIVER BRIDGE. and friendship.

I am able to state, for your satisfaction, that the prospect of any such disturbance is now less serious than it has been at any previous period during the course of the insurrection. It is nevertheless necessary now, as it has hitherto been, to take every precaution that is possible to avert the evils of foreign war, to be superinduced upon those of civil commotion which we are endeavoring to cure. One of the most obvious of such precautions is that our ports and harbors on the seas and lakes should be in a condition of complete defence; for any nation may be said to voluntarily incur danger in tempestuous seasons when it fails to show that it has sheltered itself on every side from which the storm might possibly come.

The measures which the Executive can adopt in this emergency are such only as Congress has sanctioned, and for which it has provided. The President is putting forth the most diligent efforts to execute these measures, and we have the great satisfaction of seeing that these efforts, seconded by the favor, aid, and support of a loyal, patriotic, and self-sacrificing people, are rapidly bringing the military and naval forces of the United States into the highest state of efficiency. But Congress was chiefly absorbed, during its recent extra session, with those measures, and did not provide as amply as could be wished for the fortification of our sea and lake coasts. In previous wars loyal States have applied themselves, by independent and separate activity, to support and aid the Federal Governiment in its arduous responsibilities. The same disposition has been manifested in a degree eminently honorable by all the loyal States during the present insurrection. In view of this fact, and relying upon the increase and continuance of the same disposition on the part of the loyal States, the President has directed me to invite your consideration to the subject of

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Doc. 88.

OCTOBER 15, 1861.

THE St. Louis Democrat, of October 17, contains the following circumstantial account of the destruction of the Big River bridge:

On

Mr. Fred. Kling, United States Mail Agent on the Iron Mountain Railroad, who reached this city from below yesterday morning about three o'clock, gives us the following particulars of the burning of Big River bridge, and the condition of affairs at Pilot Knob and along the railroad. Mr. Kling left Pilot Knob on Tuesday morning, on the regular train, at nine o'clock, the regular time of departure. reaching Mineral Point, a station a few miles above Potosi, they got news of the attack upon the guard at the Big River bridge, and the burning of the bridge by a large force of rebels under Jeff. Thompson. The news was brought to Mineral Point station by a number of wounded soldiers belonging to the force of forty or fifty men which had been stationed at Lawson's, a few miles above, and which, on hearing the firing that morning, had rushed up the road to the rescue of the force at the bridge, but reaching there too late, were driven back by the rebels. Mr. Kling states that as soon as the train arrived at Mineral Point, the major in command there, belonging either to the Thirtythird or Thirty-eighth Illinois regiment, ordered the train back to Potosi, three miles off, for reinforcements. In a short time the reinforcements, consisting of three companies, came along on the train, and were about to push on up the road, when a council of war was called and it was decided to go down to Pilot Knob for more troops, for it was ascertained that the rebels were in large force. The train was sent back by Colonel Carlin, in command at the Knob, who, instead of forwarding troops, despatched the cars back to Mineral Point, with